Imagine children’s laughter echoing through these halls since 1936. This is De Bohun Primary School. It stands on Green Road in Southgate. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a place where young minds grow.
De Bohun Primary School is a community school. It welcomes children aged two to eleven. It has a mixed-gender student body. The school’s capacity is 420 pupils. But in 2019 it had 448 enrolled.
The school is now an academy. Academies are state-funded schools. They have more autonomy than traditional schools. Mrs Zoe Ansell is the headteacher. You can reach her at 02084417728.
The school is part of the IVY Learning Trust. The school was once divided into junior mixed and infant departments. Juniors were on the first floor. Infants occupied the ground floor from 1955. In 1973 the school had 324 junior and 289 infant children. Sixty children were in the nursery.
De Bohun Primary School believes everyone is valued. It is a bigger school than many. However every pupil is important here. Pupils enjoy coming to De Bohun Primary School. They know they are safe. Adults and pupils get along well. Respect underpins their relationships.
Teachers at De Bohun Primary School expect pupils to challenge themselves. They should always do their best. The children are familiar with risk-taking. It is something they apply during lessons.
Parents say that staff go the extra mile. They help children succeed. They assist them when they first start. The teachers ensure children’s special educational needs are met. They never give up finding solutions to difficulties. Some parents make a long daily journey. They do this because of what the school offers.
Teachers welcome pupils who join mid-year. They check what they know straight away. This helps them learn without wasting time.
De Bohun Primary School focuses on well-being. It focuses on mental health. Staff are ready to listen. They are ready to help when children need it. Pupils behave well here. Lessons are not interrupted by bad behavior. Bullying rarely happens. Leaders act quickly when they hear about it. Pupils are confident that teachers will deal with it well.
The headteacher wants pupils to get a good education. They should be able to make informed choices about their futures. Leaders and teachers chose the curriculum. It gives pupils a good start. Pupils achieve well across the curriculum. They talk about ‘sticky learning’. This means remembering what they have learned. They can refer to it later.
Children get a good start in the early years. No time is wasted encouraging a love of stories. Teachers ensure children learn the most important things first. This gives them a firm foundation. Children learn to sing many songs. These songs contribute to the music curriculum later. Teachers have high expectations from the start. They ensure children use the right vocabulary in mathematics.
Reading has a high profile at De Bohun Primary School. Leaders ensure that teachers are well-trained. Pupils have the right books. This helps them learn to read. Phonics are taught from the first days. Teachers adapt their teaching. They meet pupils’ needs. They explain the position of the tongue. They do this when pronouncing specific sounds.
Teachers act fast when a pupil struggles. Small groups are taught by trained staff. These groups help pupils catch up. Pupils read during breaks. They read during lunchtimes. They choose areas with comfortable seating.
Teachers check how well pupils are doing during lessons. They hold short discussions. This makes sure they understand. In music lessons the teacher watches how pupils hold instruments. Timely help ensures pupils develop good habits.
Staff morale is high. Teachers have a professional approach. Leaders make sure teachers’ time is used well. Meetings are relevant. They are tailored to teachers’ needs. Teachers value discussions with senior leaders. They discuss how pupils are doing. This helps them improve their teaching.
Older pupils remember visits to Wigmore Hall. They listen to string quartets. They remember visits to the Tate gallery. Such activities broaden pupils’ experiences. They open their eyes to new opportunities.
Staff are well trained in safeguarding. Safeguarding leaders keep up to date. They know what to do if they have concerns. Staff understand which signs to look out for. Leaders work well with external agencies. They take advice and report concerns.
The school’s curriculum includes online safety. Pupils learn about the impact of gaming.
De Bohun Primary School is more than just a school. It’s a community. It’s a place where children learn and grow. It prepares them for the future. Remember the laughter. Remember the learning.